Self vaporizing burner



April 7, 1959 c. E. GOLDEN SELF VAPORIZING BURNER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 23, 1956 INVENTOR. CARL E GOLDEN ATTORNEYS April 7, 1959 .c. E. GOLDEN SELF VAPORIZING BURNER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 25, 1956 I INVENTOR.

CARL E. GOLDEN A T TORNEVS April 7, 1959 c. E. GOLDEN SELF VAPORIZING BURNER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 23, 1956 INVENTOR. CARL 5 GOLDEN 1 'lll ATTORNEYS United States Patent SELF U E Carl E. Golden, Burlingame, Calif, assignor to Ransome Torch & Burner =-Cti.,iEmeryville, Calif a corporation ofv California AppIicatiQn -IHIy-ZS, 119.56, Serial No. 599,452

ti'Claims. (Cl- 158-5 My invention relates to instruments for burning fluid fuel and especiallyto devicesfor consuming liquid petroleum gas or the like. Burners of this sort are often utilized as separate, portable units andmust necessarily contain not only the burning mechanism but also the structure for converting the liquid petroleum into a gaseous form for combustion,

Most of theliquid petroleum gases utilized in this manner are somewhat;critically subject. to vaporization temperatures in that if thetempcrature is excessive the materialtends to carbonizein thevaporizer and so to interfere with the operation of the device. Even though the temperature is rather well controlled within permissible limits, there is still often some carbon formation which ultimately interferes with the optimumoperation of the burner. In addition, such 'burners are in many cases utilized byhighly unskilled laborers; for example, in weed burning and the like, and even though simple regulatory devices. are utilized-they are. subject to poor adjustment and can causebad operation of the device. Many burners for this type of fuel are relatively complex and critical in disposition ofparts. and adjustment so that field operation is not particularly Satisfactory.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a self vaporizing burner in which the temperature of the vaporizing portioncan readily be regulated within desired limits even by highly unskilled operators.

Another object of the invention is to provide a self vaporizing-burner in which the accumulation of carbon over a protracted period .is readily and simply removed and as a field operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a self vaporizing burner ruggedly and sturdily constructed so as to withstandprotracted field operation and to maintain its original setting over long periods of use.

Another object of; the invention is, to provide a self vaporizing burnerof animproved nature.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a self vaporizing burner largely constructed of simple and virtually standard parts,

Other objects together with the foregoing are attained in the embodiments of the invention described in the accompanying description and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which;

Figure 1 is a plan of oneform of self vaporizing burner constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-section to an enlarged scale of the Figure 1 burner, the plane of cross section being indicated by the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation to the scale of. Figure l of the self vaporizing burner, a portion thereof being broken away to disclose some of the interior construction.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of a modified form of self vaporizing burner.

Figure 5 is a plan of'theburner of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is'a cross-section to an enlarged scale of the burnershown in Figures 4 and 5, the plane of section being indicated by the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

2,880,791 Patented Apr. 7, 1959 Figure 7 is a cross-section comparable to. Figures 2 and 6 showing a further modified form of the self vaporizing :bu'rner.

Figure 8 is a plan of the arcuate manifold utilized in connection with the structures of'the other figures.

Figure 9 is a development Of the structure of Figure 8, h n f d v lop e t e ngindiea by the numeral 9-9 of Figure 8.

While the self vaporizing burner can be ernbodied in numerous forms in addition to those illustrated herein it has successfully been embodied in these forms. Inthe embodiment of Figures 1, 2 and 3 there is provided a circular cylindrical combustion jacket 6" conveniently fabricated of a length of pipe or tubing having alongitudinal axis. Situated adjacent one. end of the jacket 6 and prefcrably disposed within a portion of that end is an arcuate manifold 7. This is illustrated in detail in Figures 8 and 9. The manifold 7 conveniently is in the form of a metallic casting of generally arcuate contour as shown in Figure 8 so as to fit snugly within part of the end of the jacket 6 The manifold likewise is shaped to define a partial venturi 8 substantially coaxial with the axis of the jacket 6. Conveniently, the manifold 7 is disposed substantially flush with the inlet end of the combustion jacket 6.

Within the manifold 7 is a liquid chamber 11 defined by the top wall 12 of the manifold and also by an intermediate wall 13 extending across the manifold. Communication with the liquid chamber 11 is had through a fuel supply pipe 14 in which a fuel pressure regulator 16 is preferably disposed. With this connection, liquid petroleum fuel at the desired pressure and in the 1Sired amounts passes the regulator 16 and flows through the pipe 14 into the liquid chamber 11.

The intermediate wall 13 is provided with a number of threaded openings 17 into each of which a vaporizing pipe 18 is screwed. The vaporizing pipe is preferably formed of standard gas pipe threaded in thecustomary fashion at one endv and screwed intothe intermediate wall 13 to provide a gas tight seal therewith. The vaporizing pipe 18 extends longitudinally from the manifold 7 into the interior of the combustion jacket 6 preferably extending for nearly the full length thereof to a point adjacent the bottom thereof. The lower end of the vaporizing pipe is left open to establish communication between the interior of such pipe and the interior of a vaporizing tube 19 also preferably formed of apiece of standard gas pipe. At its outer or lower. end the tube 19 is closed by a standard threaded cap 21. At its opposite or upper end, the tube 19 is threaded into one of a group of apertures 22 provided in the lower wall 23 of the manifold. This lower wall 23 is spaced from the intermediate wall 13 to provide a vapor chamber 24 and is arranged so that the apertures 22 are in axial alignment with the apertures 17. Thus, the vaporizing tube 19 is concentric with and parallel to the encompassed vaporizing pipe 18.

Liquid fuel entering the chamber 11 has a choice of several paths in parallel through the various vaporizing tubes 18 within the combustion jacket 6 When there is flame within such combustion jacket the resulting temperature is transferred to the liquid fuel traveling through the vaporizing pipes and therefore converts the liquid into vapor at some point during its travel. The vapor plus any residual liquid rounds the lower-end of the pipe 18 and enters. into the outer vaporizing tube 19. Some liquid separation may ak pla e int th cap hi is a relatively good heat reservoir so that additional vaporization takes place there. Further heating of the vapor takes place as it travelsupwardly through the vaporizing pipe 19. Thus, vapor is supplied through the four openings 22 into the lower vapor chamber 24.

Vapor or gas from the chamber 24 travels through a cast-in passage 26 in the manifold and into a duct 27 leading to a pipe 28 connected to a valve block 29. Flow through the valve block is regulated by a hand valve 31 conveniently disposed for turning by the operator. Vapor which passes the valve block 29 enters into a nozzle 32 in substantially axial alignment with the axis of the combustion jacket 6 but disposed outside thereof in the region of the manifold 7. The gas issuing from the nozzle 32 travels through the partial venturi 8 over the curved portion of the manifold 7 and serves to induce atmospheric air to flow along with it into the combustion jacket 6. It is therein ignited and burned as it traverses the length of the combustion jacket. Secondary air is admitted through one or more apertures 36 disposed in the jacket 6 adjacent the manifold 7. Some of the heat of this combustion is transferred to the vaporizing pipes and vaporizing tubes, as described, and is effective to convert the liquid fuel into gaseous fuel for subsequent combustion.

The duct 27 is provided with a branch 37 leading to a second valve block 38 having a handle 39 to control flow therethrough. From the second valve block the gas flows through a pipe 41 and issues through a nozzle 42 into the interior of the combustion jacket 6 in a position parallel to the remaining tubes therein. Usually, the size of the nozzle 42 is much smaller than the size of the nozzle 32. Conveniently, a sleeve 43 fitting loosely over the pipe 41 is held in an axially adjusted position relative thereto by set screws 44. Vapor is suing from the lower end of the pipe 41 joins in the combustion but the flame from such pipe is much lower in the jacket 6 than is the flame from the nozzle 32. The pipe 41 or nozzle 42 is in effect extended by the slidable jacket 43 and the arrangement is such that when the jacket 43 is lowered on the secondary pipe 41 the point of emergence of the gas fuel therefrom is lowered substantially.

If the maximum capacity of the burner is desired, all of the vaporized fuel is allowed to pass through the valve 29 and issue from the nozzle 32. If a relatively small amount of heat is desired, then the valve 29 is closed and the valve 38 is opened to the desired point.

Gas passing through the valve 38 and issuing from the nozzle 42 in the end of the pipe 41 causes the flame to burn around the outer ends of the vaporizing tubes 19 thereby materially reducing the amount of heat transfer through the tubes 19. This provides a simple means of controlling the temperature of the vaporized fuel passing to the nozzle 42. If additional heat is desired, the valve 29 can be opened until a desirable balance is obtained. By manipulating the sleeve 43, the flame fed by gas issuing from the nozzle 42 can be extended out farther toward the ends of the vaporizing tubes 19 or back thereby providing a further means of controlling the temperature of the vaporized fuel and presenting excessive temperature.

With this arrangement there is provided a vaporizing flame supported by gas issuing from the external or primary nozzle 32, with this flame occurring near the manifold 7 and in the upper portion of the combustion jacket 6. At the same time the remaining gas issuing through the secondary nozzle 41 burns either adjacent the lower end of the pipe itself or even lower whenever the jacket 43 is lowered so that the main combustion occurs much closer to the lower end of the combustion jacket 6.

By appropriately manipulating the two valve handles 31 and '39, the operatorcan strike the desired relationship between the size and position of the vaporizing flame or flames. Furthermore, by regulating the amount of gas issuing from the primary. nozzle 32 and its velocity and the amount of air induced to flow past the partial venturi 8 with it, the operator can regulate in a general way the position of the vaporizing flame lengthwise of the combustion jacket 6. Consequently, by appropriately regulating the two valves and by adjusting the jacket 43, the operator can arrange the self vaporizing burner so that the particular fuel being utilized can be appropriately vaporized within the optimum temperature range and without overheating the vaporized fuel. He likewise can regulate the amount and position of the main flame so that the heating of the liquid for vaporization is conducted uniformly or substantially so within the combustion jacket.

If, despite appropriate adjustment of these valves, and despite maintenance of the optimum temperature range over a protracted period there is still accumulation of carbon within the vaporizing mechanism,' the operator, when the burner has been shut down, can readily remove the structure from the jacket 6 and can readily remove the various caps 21. He can either clean out the carbon with that much of the mechanism exposed or can go farther and remove the pipes and tubes themselves so that the entire device can be virtually dismantled in the field with ordinary tools and can then be readily cleaned and restored to operation.

In some instances the structure as previously described is necessarily used in an air stream blowing with substantial velocity along with the device. For example, the self vaporizing burner can be situated in an air duct leading to a drier. In such an installation the structure substantially as previously described is preferably provided with an external housing 51 of circular cylindrical shape encompassing the jacket 6 and having a closure plate 52 at its upstream end. This closure plate fits with reasonable snugness around the supply conduit 14, the duct 27 and the primary nozzle 32 so that only a small amount of air enters around these parts.

The housing 51 at its intermediate portion is pierced to provide secondary air openings 53. A slidable and conical deflector 54 having a circular cylindrical collar 56 formed integrally therewith and slidably disposed on the housing 51 is arranged to be moved to cover more or less of the openings of the secondary apertures 53. To this end a rod 57 is fixed at its lower end to the deflector 54 and passes through a collar 58 secured to the upper end of the housing 51. A set screw 59 holds the rod 57 against motion when the set screw is tight. With this arrangement the conical deflector 54 intercepts the air current flowing along the housing 51 and diverts it in through the open portion of the apertures 53. This air then flows in between the jacket 6 and the housing 51 and enters through the openings 36 to take part in the combustion as before.

Adjacent to its lowermost end the housing 51 is provided with a slidable collar 61 having an inturned annular flange 62 thereon leaving a central opening 63 of approximately the same size as the jacket 6. The collar 61 is slid around the housing 51 to permit some of the air to mix with the flame as the flame leaves the jacket 6 although this tertiary air can be cut off if the collar 61 is slid closely enough into position with the jacket 6.

In certain instances it is preferable to have the main combustion flame outside of thevaporizing jacket 6 and a structure of that nature is illustrated in Figure 7. In this arrangement the interior construction of the jacket 6 is precisely as before with all of the mechanism being exactly as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 except that the duct 27 instead of branching into the combustion jacket 6 has a lateral branch 66 provided with a hand valve 67 leading to a support tube 68 parallel to the jacket 6. At its lower end the support tube 68 is threaded to receive a threaded cap 69 having a central aperture 71 therein to form a nozzle. Radiating from the cap 69 are arms 72 joined to a flame tube 73 extending alongside the combustion jacket 6 and in sufficiently close proximity thereto so that the interior of the jacket 6 and the interior of the tube 73 can be considered in heat exchanging relationship.

With this arrangement the operation is substantially as before except that the only flame actually within the combustion jacket 6 is that depending upon gas from the primary nozzle 32. Even so, the lowermost portion of the vaporizing pipes and tubes are provided with heat by radiation and other thermal transfer from flame burning within the flame tube 73 and fed by gas issuing from the orifice 71 of the secondary nozzle so formed. This flame is supplied with air flowing around the support arms 72 and induced to flow into the flame tube 73 by the velocity of issuance of the vapor from the orifice 71. In this version of the device as Well, the flame for vaporization and heat from the main combustion are combined in appropriate amounts and appropriate locations relative to the vaporizing pipes and vaporizing tubes to afford the optimum temperature range for clean vaporization.

What is claimed is:

1. A self vaporizing burner comprising a manifold curved about a longitudinal axis to leave a central partial venturi and having a liquid chamber and a vapor chamber, means for conducting liquid fuel into said liquid chamber, a vaporizing pipe extending through said vapor chamber and opening into said liquid chamber, a vaporizing tube closed at one end and overlying said vaporizing pipe and opening into said vapor chamber, a combustion jacket coaxially extending from one side of said manifold and encompassing said vaporizing tube, a vapor nozzle disposed on the other side of said manifold and directed along said axis toward said combustion jacket through the curvature of said partial venturi, and means extending through said liquid chamber for conducting vapor from said vapor chamber to said vapor nozzle.

2. A self vaporizing burner comprising an arcuate manifold defining a partial venturi and having a liquid chamber and a vapor chamber, a cylindrical combustion jacket on and extending from one side of said manifold substantially in alignment with said venturi, means for conducting liquid fuel into said liquid chamber, a vaporizing pipe extending from said liquid chamber into said combustion jacket, a vaporizing tube extending from said vapor chamber into said combustion jacket and communicating with said vaporizing pipe, a vapor nozzle on the other side of said manifold and directed toward said combustion jacket through said partial venturi, and means extending through said liquid chamber for conducting vapor from said vapor chamber to said vapor nozzle.

3. A self vaporizing burner comprising an elongated cylindrical combustion jacket, an arcuate manifold defining a partial venturi disposed coaxially in one end of said jacket, said manifold having an intermediate wall extending transversely of said axis and dividing said manifold into a liquid chamber and a vapor chamber, a vaporizing pipe fastened in said intermediate wall and extending from said liquid chamber through said vapor chamber into said jacket, a vaporizing tube extending from said vapor chamber into said jacket surrounding said vaporizing pipe, means for closing the end of said vaporizing tube beyond the end of said vaporizing pipe, a vapor nozzle on the other side of said manifold from said jacket and directed toward said combustion jacket and said vaporizing tube through said partial venturi, and means fastened in said intermediate wall for connecting said vapor nozzle and said vapor chamber.

4. A self vaporizing burner comprising an elongated cylindrical combustion jacket, an arcuate manifold defining a partial venturi and disposed coaxially in one end of said combustion jacket, said manifold having a liquid chamber and a gas chamber, means for supplying said liquid chamber with liquid fuel, means including a vaporizing pipe in said combustion jacket for interconnecting said liquid chamber and said vapor chamber, a vapor nozzle directed toward said combustion jacket across said arcuate manifold and through said partial venturi, means for connecting said vapor chamber and said vapor nozzle, a second nozzle within said combustion jacket, and means extending through said partial venturi for connecting said vapor chamber and said second nozzle.

5. A self vaporizing burner comprising an elongated cylindrical combustion jacket, an arcuate manifold defining .a partial venturi and disposed coaxially in one end of said combustion jacket, said manifold having a liquid chamber and a gas chamber, means for supplying said liquid chamber with liquid fuel, means including a vaporizing pipe in said combustion jacket for interconnecting said liquid chamber and said vapor chamber, a vapor nozzle outside of and directed toward said combustion jacket across said arcuate manifold and through said partial venturi, first means extending through said liquid chamber for connecting said vapor nozzle and said vapor chamber, a first valve in said first connecting means, a second nozzle within said combustion jacket, second means extending through said partial venturi for connecting said second nozzle and said vapor chamber, and a second valve in said second connecting means.

6. A self vaporizing burner comprising an elongated cylindrical combustion jacket having a longitudinal axis, a manifold disposed in and occupying part of one end of said combustion jacket to define a coaxially located partial venturi, said manifold having parallel outer, inner, and intermediate walls normal to said axis and defining a liquid chamber and a gas chamber, means for supplying said liquid chamber with liquid fuel, an open ended vaporizing pipe passing through said inner wall and fastened in said intermediate wall to extend from said liquid cha-mber into said combustion jacket, a vaporizing tube fastened in said inner wall and extending around said vaporizing pipe from said gas chamber into said combustion jacket, means for closing the end of said vaporizing tube within said combustion jacket, a vapor nozzle on the other side of said manifold and directed along said axis through said partial venturi into said combustion jacket, and a pipe fastened in said intermediate wall and extending through said liquid chamber and fastened to said vapor nozzle to conduct vapor from said vapor chamber to said nozzle and to support said vapor nozzle on said manifold.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 568,842 Durr Oct. 6, 1896 1,391,774 Gerstenberger Sept. 27, 1921 1,600,218 Evans et a1 Sept. 21, 1926 FOREIGN PATENTS 467,261 Germany Oct. 22, 1928 12,438 Great Britain of 1897 155,925 Switzerland Sept. 16, 1932 

